Slovakia's gross foreign debt totalled $18.322 billion last December - up $1.338 billion from November 2003. The country's long-term foreign debt rose in December by $386.6 million to $10.288 billion, the SITA news wire reported.
Short-term foreign debt over the same period increased by $951.2 million to $8.034 billion.
Slovakia's foreign debt mainly increased due to the euro’s firming against the US dollar, an increase in official short-term liabilities, and higher debt in the commercial sector, said the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS).
Long-term debts of the Slovak government and the central bank increased in December by $256.4 million, on a slight increase in the commercial sector's debt.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
